08 Jul 2011 08:07:10

MEPs vote against higher emissions target

Members of the European Parliament have voted against watered down plans to up the continent's 2020 emissions reduction target.

In November, a resolution was approved which said it would be in the European Union's economic interest to increase its 2020 CO₂ reduction target to 30 percent from the current 20 percent.

The resolution had been amended to make it a conditional 30 percent cut, rather than a unilateral one originally put forward, however this was rejected by the majority, led by Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, NL).

In total, there were 258 votes for, 347 against and 63 abstentions, as a result of the watered down proposals put before the parliament.

Mr Eickhout said he felt "great regret" in voting against his own report, adding: "It is clear that the EU's current 20 percent emissions target for 2020 is completely obsolete."

He added that the current target was hindering proactive emissions reductions and green investments, as well as undermining the emissions trading scheme.

The original resolution was voted through with 292 in favour, 274 against and 38 abstentions.